United Nations agencies have called for an urgent increase in funding to deal with the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as the Israeli military continues its offensive against Hezbollah.
UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP) warned in a joint statement on Tuesday that the fighting, which has displaced hundreds of thousands in Lebanon, has “triggered a catastrophe.”
Lebanese officials have said 1.2 million people have been affected by the conflict, in which Israel has conducted air attacks on Beirut and many other parts of Lebanon, as well as sending ground troops into the south.
In addition, hundreds of thousands have crossed into Syria, the statement notes, further complicating the humanitarian response.
The UN agencies say they are working to deliver vital support. WFP is meeting the needs of approximately 200,000 people daily with ready-to-eat food and cash.
An official from the UN Refugee Agency said new Israeli evacuation orders to 20 villages in southern Lebanon meant that more than a quarter of the country was affected.
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